Chapter 9 Diamond
nine
Diamond
Despite starting the day in unseasonal spring warmth, the reality of Alberta is that a change in weather can come swiftly.
Poor Tater was shivering once the clouds rolled in with a cool breeze as its companion. She was already wet from the ice-cold water that only a dog would run through with a smile on its face.
My damn heart nearly exploded when Rhett asked me to stop and unpacked Tater’s carrier.
He strapped it to his chest and plopped her into it like you’d wear an infant.
It made mounting Wilbur awkward, but Rhett had a system worked out like he’d done it so often, it had become second nature.
She popped her head out and licked his cheek before staying still in her little dog pouch, her ears flopping as we rode at a steady gallop.
This man has just as many layers as I do, and while I want him naked in all the ways, I’m actually happy he pressed me into something else first. We still don’t know each other well, but I know that he’s unlike any man I’ve met.
Ouija Pinterest knows what it’s doing.
“We should pick it up a bit and get back to the barn before those storm clouds burst.” Looking behind me, I take in the clouds Rhett’s concerned with and agree. The wind has strengthened, and a dampness I hate weighs in the air.
“It could be anything from rain to hail or snow at this time of year. I agree.”
“You’re good to gallop for a longer distance?” Rhett asks, his voice laced with concern.
I nod. “I can go the distance, cowboy. Barrel racers don’t just finish fast. We have stamina.”
Rhett’s eyes nearly bug out of his head, and I throw my head back with a laugh.
He makes it so easy to rile him up, and I love it.
I urge Cherry to speed up as requested. When we exit the single path for a wider field, Rhett comes alongside me again.
Tater bounces along in her pouch and Rhett steadies her every few strides with a hand pressing her against him.
His horse runs beautifully, and he doesn’t pass me when we approach the narrow in the trail again, allowing me and Cherry to take the lead.
It’s been far too long since I’ve been on Cherry, feeling the wind on my face as we dodge the weather. If nothing else comes from today, it’s a reminder that I need to be present more and enjoy these things again. I love my business, but Morgan was right. I pay them for a reason.
Maybe Rhett really is a match made in the universe for me.
As we enter the last field with the barn in sight, the first fat drop of rain smacks my face.
Cherry runs faster, and I lean forward with the reins loose, letting her give it all she has.
The rain grows heavier, the sky opening and drenching us when we’re so close to shelter.
My shirt clings to me as Rhett pulls up alongside me, pointing to the back of the barn.
“This way!” He shouts over the storm. “Straight into the barn!”
I let him lead, and by the time we reach the barn, the rain has morphed to hail. Small ones, but it still hurts when it pings off bare skin.
Rhett dismounts and ties his horse outside his stall before quickly coming over to me.
“Cherry can go here for now.” He points to an empty stall. “I’ll grab us some towels and turn on the heaters.” He pulls Tater out of her carrier and sets her down before jogging down the barn aisle.
“Seems like you had the best seat in the house, Tater girl.” I bend to give her some ear scratches and shiver when the wind rattles the barn doors. I hope the heaters kick in soon.
While I wait for Rhett, I remove Cherry’s saddle and blanket and set them in another empty stall to dry. Hunter has a lot of extra stalls here. Maybe I should finally accept his offer to board Cherry here instead. I’d see her more often if I did.
Maybe even get more rides like this with Rhett.
“I think I got everything.” Rhett drops a bucket with brushes and combs on the cement floor, along with a stack of blankets and towels. “The heat takes a bit to get going. Hunter already had the breaker shut off to the timer. Took me a few minutes to figure that out.”
“I hope it warms up soon,” I say as a shiver runs through me.
“Are you okay?” He steps towards me, a hand out to touch me before he takes it back.
“I’m f-fine. Just cold. Let’s get the horses comfortable first.”
He nods once and turns away from me towards Wilbur.
Together, we work to get our horses combed and dried before leading them into clean, dry stalls. Cherry keeps sticking her head around the corner to see Wilbur, like the socialite she is, and I laugh even as I shiver.
“She likes your horse.”
We both chuckle as Cherry mouths the door mechanism of Wilbur’s stall.
“Well, he’s an easy horse to like. Here, you’re shaking, Diamond.”
Rhett holds up a blanket for me, and I burrow into it, letting the warmth of the wool take the chill away as the barn heaters finally flicker to life. “Thank you. I—”
The crack of thunder is so loud I jump, and Rhett’s arms circle me tighter as he whispers to the horses that it’s okay. Maybe it’s to me, too, but the security of his arms does more than reassure me.
The thunder rolls and booms over us, and he holds me close the entire time as we watch the torrential rain and hail mix fall outside the barn door.
Even while damp and cold, my dick isn’t on retreat.
Nope, it’s raging to life being so close to Rhett, and when he lets me go, I’m not sure I’ll be able to hide it in these pants.
“I’ve not been caught in the rain on my horse in…god, I can’t tell you how long,” I say to break the silence, but my voice shakes, and Rhett pulls me so close I’m almost positive I’m not the only one here fighting a wayward appendage.
This time, my shiver isn’t because of the chill from being drenched in a spring rainstorm.
“Diamond…” Rhett’s voice shakes, and I turn to face him.
“It’s not just me, is it, cowboy?”
He shakes his head slowly, and I reach a chilled hand to his face to dust my fingertip along his lips. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since the first time I saw you. I thought about it earlier in the meadow.”
His throat bobs with a swallow. “If I kiss you…things get complicated,” he breathes, even as his head drops, drifting closer to mine.
“It’s only complicated if you make it that way.”
Rhett’s fingers flex on my hips, and doubt flickers in his eyes. “Are you sure?”
“No. But I’m not afraid to find out.” Leaning forward, I let my lips whisper against his ear. “I won’t break, Rhett. Kiss me.”
That seems to spur him into action. His hands cup my face, and he brings his mouth to mine. He practically sighs against my lips before chasing for more.
My knees want to buckle because this man, who I’ve stalked on social media and not so discreetly flirted with, is kissing me like he needs it to keep his heart beating.
The rough edges of his palms slide down my neck, and I fist his shirt in my hands.
“Skin on skin gets you warmer faster, I heard,” I murmur against his mouth before he detours his lips down my throat.
“It would be irresponsible of me to leave you in wet clothes.” He mutters and nips at my earlobe.
“It really would.”
Rhett kisses me again, biting at my lip in a way that sends a zap of pleasure straight to my cock.
The rain still falls on the tin roof of the barn, and the soft huffs of horses sound.
I’m burning up from the inside, ready to do whatever he asks here in the barn, until a wave of shivers courses through me and Rhett backs up.
“You really are cold.” He takes my hand in his and leads me to the door. Rain still falls, and the distance to the farmhouse looks impossibly far. “Let’s run.”
I don’t have time to respond before he’s pulling me through the rain. We splash through puddles and laugh like fools until we’re standing in the entranceway of the house.
Poor Tater ran along with us and is soaked to the bone, but still as happy as any dog can be. Rhett opens the door and tells her to shake on the porch. She does after a moment and trots back inside, heading for the stairs.
“She’s going to her bed. She knows if she’s wet or dirty, she should go there.”
“Smart dog.” I hum and tug at the hem of his shirt that clings to him in the most delicious ways. “I’m wet, but I’d like to get dirty. Can I go to bed too?”
With what I can only describe as a growl, he scoops me up and throws me over his shoulder before striding with purpose down the hall. I’m upside down, but I like the view and the easy access to plant my hands on the swell of his ass with a laugh.
He jogs up the stairs, and I smack his ass in a very unconvincing struggle, because why would I want him to think I hate this?
Rhett slams the bedroom door closed with his foot and slides me down his front.
“I was serious about getting you into dry clothes, but I like your idea of getting dirty.”
His hands are gentle, yet firm as he strips me out of my clothes, with each item hitting the floor with a soft splat. When I struggle with his jeans, he brings his hands up to help. His lips never leave mine the entire time unless we’re pulling an article of clothing over our heads.
“You’re even beautiful under your clothes.
” He runs a fingertip from my belly button to the base of my cock, which just might explode the first time he touches it.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt such a powerful desire to have someone’s hands on me like this.
It’s usually just a dull ache; a want to have an orgasm with someone else and nothing more.
But this is more than an ache. Every kiss and touch makes me want more. More kisses, more touches, and more of him…all before I’ve even had a single orgasm. Which is quite the revelation to have when you have a hot cowboy naked in front of you.
“It hurts,” he says against my skin. “It hurts so bad to have you like this.” His hand finally skims down and wraps around my cock. “I’m sorry if it’s fast.”
“Don’t be. My bones are already turning to jelly. This won’t take long.”